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In accordance with the newly adopted PA State-wide ALS Protocols, Medic 106 providers will be advancing its level of prehospital care through the use of additional medications, procedures and equipment. Among these are:
Lifepak 12 monitor> This unit is currently in service and enhances the paramedics' ability to provide prehospital care by integrating 12-lead cardiac monitoring, serial non-invasive blood pressure acquisition, pulse oximetry and end tidal CO2 monitoring into a single unit. The 12-lead monitoring capability enhances the paramedics’ ability to identify cardiac rhythm disturbances in the field. This device also incorporates biphasic truncated exponential waveform technology, which studies have shown to enhance the percentages of return of spontaneous circulation after first shock in ventricular fibrillation, as compared with monophasic dampened sine wave technology. Synchronized biphasic shocks delivered at a lower energy have been shown to have better results in converting atrial fibrillation, as well.
Bougie Introducer> Our paramedics have just completed this training and now use this device to help facilitate endotracheal intubation when confronted with an exceptionally difficult airway. This device, combined with the strict utilization of waveform capnograraphy and frequent training, help us maintain our intubation proficiency at a very high level.
King Tube LTD> This device is already in use and has provided a latex-free alternative to the Combi-tube in situations where the airway cannot be controlled by more definitive means.
Adult Intraosseous Infusions> In critical situations where IV access cannot be obtained, this device will enable the paramedics to provide medications into the patient's blood stream via a needle placed directly into the bone marrow cavity at selected anatomical sites. Paramedics have been utilizing this technique on children for decades, but it has just recently been expanded to adults.
Medications> Springfield EMS Paramedics have completed the required training and we now have added the following medications to our arsenal:
- Zofran for the treatment of severe nausea and vomiting.
- Duoneb for the treatment of respiratory distress due to wheezing.
- Solu-Medrol for the treatment of severe respiratory distress due to wheezing that does not respond to Duoneb and / or other medications.
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Fentanyl for pain relief.
Cardiac Cath Lab Protocol> Springfield Paramedics operate under a rigorous protocol aimed at identifying, treating and transporting patients suffering from active myocardial infarctions directly to the catheterization lab at Crozer as quickly as possible. Field Acquisition of 12 lead EKGs further reduces the time in obtaining definitive diagnosis and care.
Stroke Protocol> Using the Cincinnati Pre-Hospital Stroke Scale, patients being ruled in for CVA are quickly identified and transported directly to Crozer for definitive diagnosis and treatment within JCAHO established timeframes.
If you would like to know more about the services that we provide, please contact Chief Tim Quinn at 610-328-8716 or tim.quinn@crozer.org. |